Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays news, rumors and injuries

Toronto Blue Jays RP Brett Cecil, who has been great in a late-inning role the last two years, has the skills to be the team's ninth inning guy, but manager John Gibbons said Cecil may not win the role. SP Aaron Sanchez wants to win a spot in the starting rotation, but many believe he's the club's best option for closer. Gibbons likes to use Cecil in high-stakes situations prior to the ninth inning. "It could be one of those deals where one night he might be closing, the other night he might have to come in at the end of the seventh or eighth inning," Gibbons said.

Fantasy Tip: Some confusion could be cleared up if Sanchez outright wins a job in the starting rotation. Even then, though, this could become a closer-by-committee between Cecil and Aaron Loup. Toronto's closer battle is worth watching intently this spring. Right now, Cecil is the best late-round gamble, but things could be frustrating in this bullpen for fantasy owners.

Fantasy Tip: Viciedo could have fleeting late-round value in deeper mixed leagues depending on his playing time in the first month of the season with Saunders sidelined. Viciedo hit 20-plus homers in two of the last three years, so we know he has the power. He won't do you any favors in the BA department, though, so he'll mainly be an NL-only commodity this year.

Toronto Blue Jays OF Dayan Viciedo will make $2.5 million if he makes the major league roster. If he goes to Triple-A Buffalo, Viciedo's salary drops to $20,000 a month.

Fantasy Tip: Viciedo will play first base, third base and in left field in the Grapefruit League, so this is a low-risk signing for Toronto. As previous tips suggest, Viciedo could be an intriguing option thanks to his home run power.

Free-agent OF Dayan Viciedo (White Sox) signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, Feb. 28. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Chicago White Sox owe Viciedo 30 days of termination pay from his $4.4 million arbitration award in 2015.

Fantasy Tip: Now that Viciedo has signed with the Blue Jays, he becomes a solid option in deeper mixed leagues. He's one of those typical hitters that burns you with low batting averages, but his home run power makes Viciedo's bat more valuable.

Updating a previous report, Toronto Blue Jays OF Michael Saunders (knee) underwent surgery Friday, February 27, to remove 60% of the meniscus from his left knee. Saunders is expected to miss five to six weeks, should be able to start running in two weeks, and might be able to begin a rehab assignment in three to four weeks from now. "Having him back sooner is great, and nice that he's got a chance to be back by the middle of April," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos.

Fantasy Tip: Saunders is an interesting late-round stash option in deep mixed leagues thanks to his new digs and potential to reach the low-teens in homers and stolen bases. He moves from Safeco Field to the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre as his home park, joining a talented Blue Jays lineup. His struggles with left-handed pitchers should result in him receiving fewer at-bats than a true everyday hitter, and his career .231 batting average is indicative of him not being a help in that category. Saunders will be a FantasyScore option when facing most right-handed pitchers.

Fantasy Tip: Despite weak contact skills and a poor batting average last year (.231), Viciedo managed to hit 20-plus homers in two of the last three seasons. Landing in Toronto would be very intriguing for a player of his caliber, and he'd be worth a late-round flier in deep mixed leagues.

Free-agent SP Johan Santana (Mets) signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.

Fantasy Tip: Given Santana's injury history and the fact he hasn't pitched in the majors in three seasons, Santana's fantasy value has greatly dropped. Still, keep an eye on this situation. If he makes the roster Santana could be worth a pickup in the deepest of mixed leagues.

Fantasy Tip: This is a position battle to monitor, but the winner won't be a viable option in the majority of mixed leagues. In the long term, Dirks projects as the best fantasy option, but he'll have to prove his health and earn playing time first. Continue to check back for updates on who is the front-runner for the left field job.

Fantasy Tip: Papelbon is a pretty safe saves option for fantasy baseball owners this year, since he'll likely be closing even if he's traded to Toronto. After Francisco Rodriguez re-signed in Milwaukee, that makes a Paps trade even less likely, though, which means saves speculators may need to practice even more patience with Ken Giles now. Stay tuned.

Toronto Blue Jays OF Michael Saunders (knee) will likely need surgery to fix torn cartilage in his left knee, but he will seek a second opinion first, according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Saunders was on crutches Thursday, Feb. 26. Anthopoulos said the team will look internally to replace him, but they are open to a trade or a free agent.

Fantasy Tip: Saunders will no longer be worth a late-round stab in mixed league drafts. Dalton Pompey's sleeper status receives a pretty big boost, though, and you should look to him in the later rounds for his speed skills.

Toronto Blue Jays OF Michael Saunders (knee) will require surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, and he'll be out until at least the All-Star break. Saunders suffered the injury in the outfield when he stepped on a soft spot of ground near an underground sprinkler Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Fantasy Tip: Saunders was a fringe consideration in mixed leagues, but he'll be one to watch during the season for a potential waiver claim.

Toronto Blue Jays C Dioner Navarro wants to play everyday and reiterated his sentiments about being traded Monday, Feb. 23. "I'd like to go to a place where I can play every day, because I already know that I can do it."

Fantasy Tip: Navarro is coming off a respectable season with the Blue Jays, where he batted .274 and drove in 69 runs over 481 at-bats. The signing of Russell Martin this offseason was a significant blow to Navarro's fantasy stock, however a trade leading to additionally playing time would land Navarro back on the fantasy map. He has potential in two-catcher or single-league formats, if he is traded away from the Blue Jays.

Fantasy Tip: Encarnacion is an elite fantasy first base option because of his power and home environment. With Miguel Cabrera's health in question this spring, Encarnacion will likely be drafted ahead of the Tigers' slugger in the first round.

Toronto Blue Jays minor league C Max Pentecost (shoulder) will not be ready for the beginning of the 2015 season because he is recovering from shoulder surgery, according to multiple sources. Pentecost had a scope performed by Dr. James Andrews which was intended to clean out the shoulder joint of his right arm. He is expected to resume throwing within three months, although he could begin baseball activities prior to that.